Auston Matthews Named 26th Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Author:

Olivia Phillips

|Published: August 14th, 2024

Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs' star player, will be named the 26th captain of the team, succeeding John Tavares.

This announcement came during a ceremony at Real Sports Bar & Grill, marking a significant leadership change for the Maple Leafs.

Matthews, who first wore the "C" at the 2019 All-Star weekend in San Jose, has been a standout player for the Leafs, accumulating numerous accolades, including a Hart Trophy, a Ted Lindsay Award, and three Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies.

OFFICIAL 🫡

Auston Matthews is the new captain of the @MapleLeafs! pic.twitter.com/vgfSwvxH33
— NHL (@NHL) August 14, 2024

As the highest-paid NHL player this season, with a cap hit of $13.25 million, Matthews is also the first American captain of the Maple Leafs.

The timing of this captaincy change is notable, as Tavares, who has one more season on his contract, has long expressed pride in his role.

Despite this, Tavares supports the transition, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to the team.

This change symbolizes a new era for the Maple Leafs' "Core Four," with Matthews and William Nylander receiving contract raises.

While the captaincy is a significant honour, it does not alter the team's fundamental challenges, such as their playoff performance and roster composition.